Grapefruit may be a weight-loss food after all

August 23, 10:15 AMWeight Loss ExaminerGail Gedan Spencer

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There's nothing like a big bag of ruby red grapefruit to remind you how yummy it is.

And there's nothing like a promising study on weight loss and diabetes to make you appreciate it more.

The online edition of the medical journal Diabetes reports that naringenin, a type of antioxidant called a flavonoid, decreased cholesterol production and stabilized metabolism in mice fed a fatty diet, according to Canadian researchers.

The Los Angeles Times Booster Shots blog reports:

The researchers determined that naringenin tweaked the genes of the overfed mice to reprogram their livers so that they burned off excess fat rather than storing it. The naringenin didn't suppress their appetites at all: They ate just as much; they just didn't get fat or develop the metabolic disturbances that generally presage the development of Type 2 diabetes.

But, of course, there are caveats. The tests were performed on mice, which often are not humans, and the amount of naringenin fed to the critters is far higher than anything you could or should be ingesting at home. Not to mention that grapefruit can interfere with many prescription drugs.

Bottom line? Grapefruit is high in antioxidants and fiber, so enjoy in (here we go again!) moderation. And until someone bottles that "grapefruit extract miracle pill" keep on with the calories in-calories out.